Dornier Do 317
Dornier · Germany · first flew 1943 · bomber
The Dornier Do 317 was a high-altitude development of the Do 217 intended to provide the Luftwaffe with a pressurised fast bomber capable of operations above fighter interception altitude. Only prototypes were completed before the programme was abandoned.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German twin-engine pressurised high-altitude bomber prototype
- Twin-fin tail carried on twin tail booms from the Do 217 lineage
- Programme cancelled in favour of missile-carrying Do 217 variants
Resembles the Do 217 in overall layout but with a more streamlined fuselage and pressurised cockpit; the twin-fin tail on twin booms is the key recognition feature shared with the Do 217 family.
Specifications
- The Dornier Do 317 has a length of 16.8 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.63 m (68 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 560 km/h (348 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed as the Do 217P's successor with a pressurised cabin and higher performance, the Do 317 flew in 1943 but the Luftwaffe's shifting priorities — particularly the effectiveness of the Henschel Hs 293 glide bomb carried by standard Do 217s — removed the requirement for a dedicated high-altitude bomber.
Variants
A small number of prototypes were completed; no production was ordered.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service.
Related aircraft
- Dornier Do 335 Pfeil
- Dornier Do 215
- Dornier Do 217
- Dornier Do 22
- Arado Ar 234
- Avro Lancaster B X
- Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
- Boeing XB-38 Flying Fortress
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